Sinai for Non-Jews

What makes the giving of the Torah so universally relevant and necessary?

You don't have to be Jewish, nor do you have to be religious, to acknowledge that what happened on Mount Sinai was one of the most important moments in the history of civilization.

Even the reason for the choice of the particular location on which the 10 Commandments were given is meant to emphasize the universality of their message. Why is it, the biblical commentators ask, God chose to transmit his moral code on a mountain in the desert rather than to wait until the Jews would come to the holy land of Israel? Precisely for this reason: Israel is a land for the Jews; the desert is ownerless ― and hence belongs equally to everyone.

God's words weren't intended just for one people. They were meant for the whole world because they represent the key to universal survival.

What makes the message of Sinai so universally relevant and necessary?

Simply put, it is the idea of law, the concept of "do this" and "do not do that." It is the notion that some things are right and some things are wrong. It is the rejection of cultural relativism that sees some good in everything no matter how heinous because "who is to say that what we think is more correct than what they believe."

There's no lack of excuses in the liberal lexicon. One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. People steal because they are poor. People murder because they feel deprived as a result of the way life has mistreated them. People do all kinds of bad things and we have to be fair before judging them to determine whether they had enough love as a child, whether the guilt may not be theirs but rather the fault of society.

The lyrics of Gee Officer Krupke in West Side Story brilliantly capture the flavor of this flawed philosophy:

Dear kindly Sergeant Krupke,
You gotta understand,
It's just our bringin' up-ke
That gets us out of hand.
Our mothers all are junkies,
Our fathers all are drunks.
Golly Moses, natcherly we're punks!

God has more faith in mankind than those who claim that people have to be forgiven no matter what because they just can't help being evil.

Everyone has a reason for what they do. Hitler found a way to justify genocide as a means to bring about a superior race. Cultural relativism has to admit that it's possible he was right. And for all we know, as some prominent psychologist dared to suggest, his mother's failure to breast-feed him sufficiently may have caused feelings of love deprivation that of course produced self-hatred, which turned outward, resulted in the need to murder 6 million Jews…

Reasons to commit evil are not the same as justifications.

We are expected to abide by God's rules no matter what, for without them society cannot survive.

Poor people don't necessarily have to turn to crime. Just last week, we watched Oprah Winfrey retire after 25 years. She reviewed her career that began in rural Mississippi, in extreme poverty, followed by her rise to become one of the most powerful and influential women in the world. No matter how disadvantaged, we are granted free will and the opportunity to make our choices in life.

And from the mountaintop of Sinai God taught the world that there are absolutes, that there are rules we are expected to abide by no matter what our excuse, because without them society cannot survive.

"Thou shalt not murder" – no matter why you think it doesn't apply to you.

"Thou shalt not commit adultery" – even if your own wife doesn't understand you, the other woman is more beautiful, and besides "who will get hurt, if no one finds out?"

"Thou shalt not steal" – even if with your newfound wealth you become a great philanthropist and have your name plastered on buildings and dedications.

The Decalogue has only 172 words. Not one of them is "except." They are clear and to the point. They are rooted in truth and represent the words of the Creator of the world.

Their power rests in their Divine source. Without them and their moral force, the world would long ago have perished.

The heroine of Shavuot is Ruth. It is her book that we read on this holiday. Why was she chosen for this honor?

Even though she was not born a Jewess, she found her way to the truth of that Torah given in the desert intended for all mankind. And that's why she became the ancestress of King David from whom will stem the Messiah – the one who will bring the whole world at long last to accept the gift meant for all that was given at Sinai.

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About the Author

Rabbi Benjamin Blech, a frequent contributor to Aish, is a Professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University and an internationally recognized educator, religious leader, and lecturer. Author of 14 highly acclaimed books with combined sales of over a half million copies, his newest, The World From A Spiritual Perspective, is a collection of over 100 of his best Aish articles. See his website at www.benjaminblech.com.

Visitor Comments: 27

(22)
jim calocci,
January 30, 2014 11:00 PM

thanks for the opportunity

(21)
Kitty Corbett,
May 26, 2012 6:17 PM

Israel only for Jews?

Nice commentary, but the analogy of Torah for everyone and Israel for Jew only doesn't fly. The Torah was given to the Whole House of Israel, and so was the land of Israel. Furthermore, all the tribes will be regathered in the Land, though the ruling tribe will remain in Judah.

(20)
Teri J Smith,
May 26, 2012 1:16 AM

Thank you, Aish.

I am a non-Jew who strives to be Torah observant. I am very thankful for Aish.com. I learn so much every time I long on. I look forward to the Sabbath readings/postings as well. So, thank you, Aish, for providing a wonderful website with great teaching.

(19)
Marina Rivera del Aguila,
October 3, 2011 1:47 AM

The Torah is not only for Jews!

Thank you, Rabbi Blech, for saying that "the desert is ownerless and hence belongs equally to everyone". For the last 16 years, a small group of friends and I have been studying Torah, here in Guatemala. As a result, our life styles have improved, we have helped many people make aliyah, etc. We think that we belong to the mixed multitude at Sinai. We think of ourselves as having a close relationship with our Creator, but have no "man made religion". This is the first time I find some one opening Sinai to us. So, thank you. Definitely, those instructions could not have been only for a certain people. Abraham's seed are those who believe in his G-d.

(18)
suzzanne nemick,
June 17, 2011 3:51 AM

this comes at a time that is important to me...the eople I know, are trying to tell me that there are only 2 commandments that matter. Love the Lord Your God with all your heart and soul and mind and..with all your strength and...Love your neighbor as yourself ....I am always left thinking that my neighbor doesn't love himself enough, at least compared to me....They are hard on themselves. Won't they be also hard on others? I don't think people know themselves enough to be able to rely on just these two commandments. I think they need to learn to know how to love.

larry,
December 1, 2014 3:04 PM

confusing?

I left christianity about 2 years ago for alot of reasons one is how they change things. As example, they tell you the first commandment is very important then they worship a man, then they tell you all you have to do is love your neighbor as your self, but what if you dont love yourself? What if you hate yourself and the world? You see the problem? The 10 commandments are there for everyone no "except"ion allowed. No excuses.

(17)
michelle,
June 12, 2011 5:39 AM

A Non Jew a Gifts from G_d

Many people who are not Jewish Love G_d! Many people who are not Jewish are kind caring and contribute a great deal of possitive to helping others and live a life of Mitvah! Just because someone is not Jewish doesn't mean G_d didn't create a beautiful thing! A rose is a rose it is not Jewish and that rose is a beautiful reflection of G_d! There are non Jewish that are wonderful gifts of G_d! So tell me can you prove that G_d doesn't make any human just as beautiful as a Jew in G_ds eyes?

(16)
Henry Wiltschek,
June 9, 2011 7:42 PM

Sinai for Non Jews

What can I add ?
Another master piece by Rabbi B. Blech.

(15)
Kathy,
June 8, 2011 4:17 AM

Thank you Rabbi Blech. Your words speak only the truth.

(14)
Rabbi Zeller,
June 7, 2011 4:35 PM

TEACH TORAH TOGOYIM?

FROM YOUR PIECE IT CERTAINLY SAYS TO TEACH THE GOYIM THE 10 DIBROT, COMMANMENTS.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IF THEY WANT TO KNOW AND ASK WHY DO YOU WEAR TZITZIT? CAN ONE GIVE TA''AMAY MITZVOT?

(13)
Amare Tefera Mengesha,
June 7, 2011 8:24 AM

What can I say about these wonderful people chosen by the Almighty GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Does Ethiopians, Chinese, Americans, Egiptians, Syrians, Indians, Canadians can call someone's name as their FATHER? NO. NO one can do that. NO one know their origin or their Father, BUT JEWS, The chosen One can do that. Only them can call someone's Name as their Origin or Father. They can call the name of their Father. He is "ABRAHAM". Oh JEWS YOU are so blessed and so lucky. YOUR Descendants win every challenge they face before they come and establish their homeland as the new born country in 1948. They win death and survive in the Shadow of death. Oh Jews your Ancestors are brave. You are lucky and blessed. GOD, the GOD of your fathers is mightily with you. I wish to see the Land that ABRAHAM see the Glory of the ALmighty, SOLOMON built the Temple, the land of miracles. But I have no money to that. One day, yse one day when God give me the opportunity and the money to do so I, yes I AMARE TEFERA MENGESHA From Ethiopia will come and see the homeland of these blessed People who can Call their father's name what other people cannot do. LONG LIVE JEWS! LONG LIVE ISRAEL! ( Dear editor Sorry about my English it is my second language)

(12)
Anonymous,
June 7, 2011 4:25 AM

Thank you

Thank you for your wonderful article. I'm SO busy trying to get ready for the chag that I just don't have the time to do a tremendous amount of learning. Your article is very inspiring and not too long and, I hope it is ok, I have taken the liberty to take notes from it so I can try and retell it as a dvar Torah over Shavous. You've given me a way to share Torah over Shavous, which is what this is all about, in a manner that does not take too much of my time away from getting ready with all the cooking etc. that has to be done. Have a good yontiv.

(11)
suzzanne nemick,
June 7, 2011 2:55 AM

I love this and cannot imagine how civilization can continue Forever without The Commandments.

Replier,
June 7, 2011 5:25 PM

Did the Japanese heroes of the tsunami (etc) have the 10 commandments as we know them?

The Japanese population is overwhelmingly Shintoist/Buddhist & is therefore hardly monotheisitic. They certainly have a moral code--an excellent one--as proved by their heroic, exemplary behaviour in the face of their recent earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disasters. How can it be said, therefore, that civilization is only possible when it is based on the 10 Commandments (as we know them) & the so-called Judaic/Christian moral code? I don't think there were very many rabbis or priests walking around there, in northern Japan, to provide a guiding light to the victims in their time of crisis.

Anonymous,
June 10, 2011 5:16 PM

How did the Japanese treat their POW's during WWII? The Chinese?

Replier,
June 13, 2011 3:24 AM

Terribly, & we all know that.

But should we not focus more on what is happening today than on what happened 70 years ago?

Anonymous,
June 14, 2011 6:46 PM

The moral code of Shintoism/Buddhism/Japan hasn't completely changed in 70 years, and they've done many abuses to other countries since before and then, so the question is valid.
For issues today, how about the unneeded pain of those victims due to law that non-Japanese doctors cannot treat Japanese citizens in Japan (many of whom did get aid in churches and shuls - there are quite a few in Japan)? Or the current aiding from the Japanese government on the kidnapping of children by Japanese parent from their non-Japanese parent (non-Japanese parents have no rights in Japan and as such many Japanese living abroad return there with their children that they do not have custody of as the Japanese courts will do nothing)? The racism against non-Japanese was the underlying thread 70 years ago and is the downfall of Japan today (see their current economic situation partially caused by these issues). That is their moral code, and I would not call it an excellent one especially when it is causing their country so much grief and they refuse to change it. The Japanese's behaviour post the recent horrific events have caused them pain due to their refusal for help, and sadly there are people around the world who are suffering worse and for far longer being ignored who would be glad of it.
Of course those that espouse but do not actually live those values are not any better. The USA for example, with it's horrid detention of US citizens during WW2 and bombing on civilian areas that cause damage for generations due to belief in it's own dominance is a continuing thread in it's treatment of other countries today with bombings including materials that will damage those areas for generations and it's known illegal detainment.

(10)
Dov D'Israel,
June 7, 2011 12:40 AM

Rabbi Blech - Thank you from my heart

(9)
Richard Howlett,
June 6, 2011 7:50 PM

Score: Dacalogue 10: Cultural relativism 0. Excellent!

This was brilliant. As it says in Proverbs 6.30:
"Men dio not despise a thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger when he is starving. Yet if he is caught, he must pay sevewnfold, thoiugh it costs him all the wealth of hus house."
If only UK laws were based on God's laws, it would help a lot of people have a much healthier perspective.

(8)
dalebriggs,
June 6, 2011 5:19 PM

thank you for the inlightment

thank you for such a clear reason that God laid down the law for mankind so if you live by the law you live in peace with God and your fellow man the choices we make there is always a outcome good or bad so live in peace

(7)
Ruth Housman,
June 6, 2011 1:50 PM

Being Ruth

I am quite positive we embody the qualities that do spell out our names in every possible way. I am quite positive we are One, meaning part and a part of a greater whole, that is, Divine. I am quite positive that Ruth embodies ruah, and that there is deep significance in the "RU" even of English in terms of Ruth and this story. I know that there is currently no word for to have ruth but we do have, ruthless. I know that my name is contained by the word, truth. I know that I have RU AWE. I know that in words themselves there is a master key that opens all doors. I know that in UR was Abraham and he spoke of the ONE G_d for us all, meaning the entire world. We are so whirrled by this golden globe, and we are each of us, parts of Divinity.
I know that Ruth and Root are related words, as are the words route and ruth. I know this, deeply, because I embody my name, and I also know that hurt is part of my name as well as thru, because I do deconstruct language. I can do this endlessly.
I see that G_d wrote us all into the most amazing story ever told.
My life feels like a dream. The real world, or, the reel world. I say this because I have the Proof on paper, by way of a life, of something that is more charmed that I can say in a short commentary on Aish. I have Living Proof that what began as a vow for me, morphed a long time ago into WOW.
Look to the letters. Look to the Hebrew letters. We are actualizing the potentials of the words. I could get into a discussion of free will and determinism here but will say, in following my heart, I am experiencing a non random story with G_d as prime mover. I say we are all of us, co-creators.

(6)
Ezza,
June 6, 2011 1:18 PM

Brilliant article

Thank you for this article, Rabbi Blech. I love your work!
It's so nice to see an article written for the world at large, to share in Matan Torah along with us Jews. Chag sameach!

(5)
andria,
June 6, 2011 1:11 PM

Great article!

Thank you for writing this article! In a world where excuses are made for all sorts of behavior, this was a nice reminder.

(4)
Bob Wells,
June 6, 2011 1:36 AM

Ruth for Gentiles?

Thank you for writing a nice article. There are two items that I would hope could be explained in greater detail;
Are there exceptions to the Decalogue? How should the Nations observe those parts of the Torah that are forbidden in the manner of a Jew, such as Shabbot?
Concerning the Book of Ruth; Ruth is the story of a person who rejected following the Torah as a Gentile and rather became a Jew. If we wish to inspire the Nations with that book then we need to look more deeply at the person of Orpah. This is an underdeveloped area of study and must be improved.

(3)
Lel,
June 5, 2011 8:28 PM

Shavuot

I'm celebrating Shavuot as a Noahide and I'm so happy to love G-d and His Torah.

(2)
Anonymous,
June 5, 2011 4:41 PM

Thank you!

Beautiful article. Well written and thought out. And, a great explanation of the connection of the importance of God's laws that apply to EVERYONE. You have good articles.

(1)
SusanE,
June 5, 2011 2:02 PM

I Couldn't properly explain this to my Friends.

Thank you Rabbi. My friends of differing faiths recognize the 'Ten Commandments' but they don't know why. I didn't have the right knowledge to explain why Torah and law is for them too. I'll send your article explaining why the entire world depends on the Jews accepting Torah.